John Marshall et al
As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, we’ve digitized a small selection of inquests and inquiries from 1872 to 1934, found in series GR-0431. These were chosen to reflect the experiences of early Chinese immigrants to B.C. – their living and working conditions, and their unfortunate accidental or unusual deaths. They range from a woman working in a brothel in Barkerville who died of natural causes to three sawmill workers who died from malnutrition. Learn more.
*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
105 18 101 Q;- What did you find there ? A;-There was no lining on the shoe whatever. It was a brass shoe intended to be used without a lining.It was badly worn. Q;-Did you notice any difference in the diameter of that show and the drum? did they come in contact near ? A; About a quarter of an inch. Q;-So that when they expanded fully it was and eight of an inch away from the drum; a mechanical impossibility you think? A;-Yes. Q;-What would you say that they were useless ? ;-Absolutely useless. Q;-Tell us about the footbrake ? A;- The lining of the left rear wheel was in a very good condition all right, but the lining of the right rear brake was badly worn, and applied the brake it would still turn. Q;-That had been your experience as master mechanic, how many years? A;-Five years in the Begg Motor Car Company as Master Mechanic. Q;-As master mechanic you think that machine was safe to take out human freight? A;- I should say it is not safe to take the car out even on good roads. Q;-Would a man think it safe when as a matter of fact it is unsafe ? A;-It is unsafe. Q;-And a fact that it is a crime to take human freight in the condition you found the brake, - a crime? A;-Yes. Q;-Was the front end so strained to the bad condition that you saw it or have anything to do with it? A;-No; not in this case. Q;-And the wetting of the brake would have what effect ? A;- It would swell.